# What story had actual physical monkeys on people's backs?

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-story-had-actual-physical-monkeys-on-peoples-backs/713274
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [February 21, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-story-had-actual-physical-monkeys-on-peoples-backs/713274 "2015-02-21T17:56:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-story-had-actual-physical-monkeys-on-peoples-backs/713274/1 "2015-02-21T17:56:31Z")

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Was chatting with my friend about the latest wacky invention from Japan, a monkey-looking robot backpack feeding the wearer tomatoes and I commented that it reminded me of a vaguely recalled old story about monkeys on people’s back. When my friend wanted to know more, all I could find with Google was references to the proverbial monkeys, drug abuse and such. I still remain 98% sure there’s at least one well-known such story out there, possibly in “One Thousand and One Nights”. Any Dopers know what I’m talking about?

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### Author: ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2015, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-story-had-actual-physical-monkeys-on-peoples-backs/713274/2 "2015-02-21T17:59:32Z")

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Not quite a monkey but _[The Burr Woman](http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/4085/13-days-of-darkness-part-3-the-burr-woman/)_ otherwise fits.

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### Author: ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2015, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-story-had-actual-physical-monkeys-on-peoples-backs/713274/3 "2015-02-21T18:01:42Z")

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> [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](#):
>
> I still remain 98% sure there’s at least one well-known such story out there, possibly in “One Thousand and One Nights”. Any Dopers know what I’m talking about?

The Sinbad story is similar, but it’s the [Old man of The Sea](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_of_the_Sea), not a monkey. That’s likely what you’re remembering.

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### Author: ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-story-had-actual-physical-monkeys-on-peoples-backs/713274/4 "2015-02-21T18:04:06Z")

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> [@MrDibble](#):
>
> The Sinbad story is similar, but it’s the [Old man of The Sea](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_of_the_Sea), not a monkey. That’s likely what you’re remembering.

That does sound likely yes. Thanks!

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### Author: ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2015, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-story-had-actual-physical-monkeys-on-peoples-backs/713274/5 "2015-02-21T23:35:06Z")

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There’s “The Monkey Treatment” by George R.R.Martin